How to Lasso a Billionaire

by Katharine Sadler

  "You won't." Isla had been taking pictures since she'd gotten her first camera for Christmas when she was six. Her talent had always been beyond question as far as Bri was concerned, but Isla had never had confidence in her ability. Bri had pushed Isla to make the most of her talent whenever she could and cheered her on fiercely. Not just because Isla was her best friend, but because she believed Isla's photos were breathtaking and that the world ought to see them. "This is the start of your career really taking off, Issy. I can feel it."

  Isla laughed and waved a hand. "I can't think about it anymore. I'll make myself crazy. Let's pretend like I'm not flying to the other side of the world in two days. Let's just focus on tonight."

  Bri wanted to jump in with both feet and follow Isla wherever she led, but responsibility laid heavy on her shoulders. She had six weeks. Six weeks to make enough money to save Addy and Maureen from homelessness. Six weeks to work her butt off. "You said you'd found me a job," she said, finally giving in to curiosity. "I should probably get the details."

  Isla winced. "We can talk about that tomorrow. Come on, Bri, when was the last time you had fun? Just let loose and acted your age?"

  Four years, two months, and sixteen days ago. Bri could remember the date like it was branded on her chest. She'd been in college, her junior year, out with friends to celebrate acing a major kinesiology test. She'd thought nothing could touch her, nothing could ruin her happiness. And then Max had called to tell her his baby daughter had been born a month premature and there were complications that meant Addy's mother, Lizzy, might not survive. Bri had left her friends, and, eventually, school, to be with her brother and Maureen. Lizzy had survived and Addy had been doing well, so Bri had gone back to school. Then Lizzy had taken off when Addy was three months old and Max had basically left Addy on Maureen's doorstep and never come back. Maureen had tried for a while to take care of Addy and work full time, but Addy didn't have the best immune system and daycare wouldn't keep a sick baby, so Bri had gone home again, intending just to stay for a bit and help out. Four years later, she was still there, and they were all still struggling. She'd given up on her dreams, but she'd do anything to ensure Addy had everything she could ever need or wish for. "Just promise me the job won't require me to show so much skin that my mother would be shocked."

  Isla crossed her arms over her chest and glared. "You know I wouldn't do that to you." Her glare lacked true anger, which Bri knew meant the uniform would show way more skin than she was comfortable with. She'd never been to Vegas, but she'd seen the pictures Max had sent home when he'd lived there, and she'd heard enough of his stories to know the lengths some people would go to for better tips.

  "Just tell me how bad it is."

  "You'll be serving cocktails on the casino floor. Your costume will be skimpy, but the tips will be amazing."

  "How skimpy?" There was something Isla wasn't telling her, and she couldn't relax until she knew what it was.

  "You aren't going to let this go, are you?"

  Bri crossed her arms over her own chest and waited.

  Isla huffed and pulled out her phone. She typed and swiped and held up a picture of a pretty woman in a brown leather dress with red stitching, and fringe. The dress was short and low-cut, but it wasn't stripper-pole level revealing. A cowboy hat and boots completed the outfit. Bri's stomach sank as she studied the dress. "That looks like a wild west costume."

  Isla stomped her foot and took her phone back. "I tried to find you a job at one of the other casinos, Bri, but I know more people with better connections at Jude's place. Your new boss is a good friend of mine, and I know the other staff will look out for you. Like I said before, you'll never have to see Jude. He hardly ever leaves his office, and he doesn't deal directly with the waitstaff."

  Bri couldn't promise she wouldn't try to claw Jude's eyes out and rip out his intestines if she saw him. Unfortunately, she needed a job more than she needed her pride, her anger, or revenge. "Thank you," she said, her teeth clenched. "I really do appreciate the job."

  "Cross my heart and stick a needle in my eye, I promise, you'll never see Jude," Isla said. "I hardly ever see him. He's always working so hard, and--"

  A knock interrupted her promise. Isla flinched. "Umm, it's probably just my neighbor. The mail person is constantly switching our ..." She hurried to the door and pulled it open just a crack. When she glanced back at Bri, worry creasing her brow, Bri knew exactly who was there. She only caught a glimpse of tanned skin, though, before Isla slipped through the door and tried to pull it closed.

  "I came over her to say goodbye," a warm, rumble of a voice said. "But you don't get your present if you don't invite me in and tell me about your itinerary."

  Bri slid to the other side of the bed, and tiptoed to the closet. Not because she was a coward, but because she couldn't guarantee she wouldn't yell at Jude, and she didn't want to do that in front of Isla. She also didn't want to risk losing her new job before she'd even started. Unfortunately, the closet wasn't a walk-in and it was stuffed so full of clothes and shoes there wasn't room for Bri. She sat on the bed and held her breath. Surely, Isla would get rid of him before he came in.

  "I'll email you the itinerary, Jude. It's just that my place is a mess, since I've been packing all day and--"

  "Your place is too small." Jude pushed open the door and walked into the apartment past his sister. Bri's heart, already thumping with nerves and nostalgia at the sound of his voice, leapt into her throat and made it hard for her to breathe. Jude. Despite the years and the animosity, warmth and desire washed over her at the sight of him. He'd once been her friend, her safe harbor, and, later, the guy who'd laid the best kiss of her life on her. She had to force herself to stop running her gaze over his firm body in a fitted suit. He'd clearly bulked up, and not with pudge. He'd put on muscle and he'd . . . Well, he'd grown up, filled out, and his face, handsome as ever, with sharp lines like he'd been carved from stone, had gotten harder, his smile unable to hide the darkness in his eyes. He looked even more serious than he had been when she'd known him. A change she wouldn't have thought possible. "If you'd just let me put you up in--"

  His sapphire blue gaze met Bri's and he froze. "I'm sorry. I didn't realize you had a friend over." He looked back at Isla confused. "Why didn't you just say so?" Isla, never good on the spot, shut the door and forced a twisted smile that bared her teeth. Jude, catching on to the fact that something was going on, turned back to Bri. Recognition didn't register in his gaze.

  Bri was quite content if he continued to think of her as a stranger. It had been five years. Her once wiry and athletic body had softened since she left college and her tennis scholarship. Taking care of Addy and working hadn't left much time for exercise. She'd let her naturally curly, brown hair grow to her waist, and the weight of the extra length had flattened her curls to gentle waves.

  Some emotion flashed in Jude's eyes and he tensed, scanning her now with an intensity that made her want to crawl under the bed and hide. "Brianne," he said, his voice soft, her name almost reverent on his lips. He shook his head and it was as though a brick wall was erected between them, his expression closed to her. "It's been a long time." He looked over at Isla. "Is she here to say goodbye? Aren't you leaving in the morning?"

  "My flight was changed." Isla glanced Bri's way, desperation in her gaze. "I'm not leaving until Monday."

  He relaxed a fraction and moved his head toward Bri without really looking at her, without meeting her eyes. "So, she's just here for a couple days to enjoy the strip?"

  "She is sitting right here," Bri said, jaw tight, teeth clenched. I will not get fired before I even start. I will not get fired before I even start.

  Jude didn't acknowledge that she'd spoken. "Isla. What. Is. She. Doing. Here?"

  "She's working on the casino floor as a cocktail waitress," Isla said, hands on hips. Knowing how much Isla hated confrontation, Bri appreciated her standing up to her brother.

  "My floor?" he asked, his face
going white, his jaw tight.

  "You'll never even see me," Bri said. She hated the pleading in her voice, hated that she had to ask him for anything, but she'd do it. For Addy, she'd do anything. "I'll look for a job with another casino, and get off your floor as soon as I can."

  Finally, his gaze focused on her, the heat and the anger in his eyes almost bowling her over. "You will not work on any floor in my city," he ground out.

  "Sorry." Bri stood, her anger a white-hot ball of fire that burned for release. "But you don't own me."

  His eyes narrowed and he smirked. "Oh, I own you all right. I certainly paid enough for you."

  Bri leaned back, too stunned to speak. His gaze pinned her in place, his hands flexing like he wanted to squeeze something. Probably her neck.

  "Jude," Isla screeched. "What the hell?"

  He blinked, like he'd just remembered where he was and what he'd said. He sighed. "She can find a job at another casino. She's not stepping foot in mine."

  "Jude, you can't--"

  "It's fine," Bri said, anger and disgust making her legs shake. How dare he talk to her like that? How dare he dictate where she worked and look at her like she was beneath him? "I'll find a job at another casino. I'm sure I won't have a problem finding something." It might take her precious days longer to find the job and start, but she'd make it work. She'd rather work in hell than for the man glaring at her.

  "She needs the money," Isla said.

  He remained unmoved, his glare shifting to a derisive smirk.

  Isla turned to Bri. "I don't know anyone with any pull at any of the other casinos, Bri. And Mike's good people. If you get a job on the floor at another casino, I can't guarantee you'll be treated well."

  "I'll be fine," Bri said, determined to make it so. "I've been taking care of myself for a while now."

  Jude snorted. "Taking care of yourself so well you're desperate for work? Forgive me if I'm not eager to hire you so you can steal from me. For what? Need a new car? Fancier jewelry?"

  Bri just stared at him, that ball of rage burning hotter. How dare he? He'd left her brother with nothing just when Max and his daughter needed money and support the most. Yet, he thought he could mock her? She'd never asked for a penny of his money, had never asked Max for any money. Before she could say a word, Isla stepped in front of Jude, drawing his attention to her.

  "Her mom's been sick, Jude. Really sick. When I say she needs the money, I'm not exaggerating."

  He looked at Bri over Isla's shoulder and his expression softened a bit. Bri couldn't handle him looking at her with pity, not after what he'd done to her family. "I don't need anything from you. I'll find a job somewhere else. Every casino needs cocktail waitresses."

  Isla glanced back at her brother and all the worry left her face, a smile taking its place. "That's true, isn't it, Jude? In fact, weren't you just saying the other day that the MGM is looking for waitresses? You're such a fan of that guy who runs their floor, right? And wouldn't Bri look darling in those gold costumes the waitresses wear? It would really show off her--"

  "She's not working at MGM," he said, his voice tight. "Pauly is an asshole and he'd see Bri and--" He glanced at Bri and clamped his lips shut tight.

  "Oh, that's right," Isla said, tapping her chin. "I forgot you don't like that guy. But you love the floor manager at Circus, Circus, right? He'd take Bri right under his wing and make sure she earns all the money she needs. Of course, the uniforms there are a bit skimpier, she might not be entirely comfortable--"

  "I will compile a list of suitable casinos," he said, a vein in his forehead throbbing, not looking at Bri at all. "She will choose one of those casinos and apply there." He looked at Bri. "Only there."

  Bri had never in her life wished so hard for a glass of wine she could throw in a man's face, or the strength to put him in a sleeper hold. "I appreciate the thought, but I'll work where I can make the most money in the shortest amount of time, and you have no right to say anything about it."

  "The most money in the shortest amount of time," Isla said, humming thoughtfully. "Maybe she should try Centerfolds. What do you think, Jude? Bri's always been a good dancer." She winked at Bri. "Maureen will never have to know about the skin you show and it's not full nudity, so--"

  "You'll work for me," he said, the words gritted out. "I want you where I can keep an eye on you and make sure you aren't here to steal from me or to get some sick sort of revenge."

  "Jude," Isla said, indignant, all her smirky smirkiness gone. "Bri would never--"

  "Don't bother," Bri said. "He's clearly already made his mind up about me." She faced him, stalking closer. "Since you despise me so much, you should have no problem understanding me when I say I have no interest in working for you."

  "I'll pay you three times what you would make on the floor," he said, never taking his eyes off Bri, the intensity of his gaze and his words stoking that rage in her belly, but also something else. Somewhere, in the maelstrom of her emotions, . . . Was that lust? No, it couldn't be. It was just unchecked rage. Or residual feelings from five years ago when she'd thought she felt something more than friendship for him.

  She pressed a hand over her chest, trying to keep the ball of anger where it belonged, but she had so much anger and it had been burning for so, so long. "No," she said, the word slipping through. "I will strip on a stage before I will ever work for you."

  His gaze heated and he took a step toward her, violence in every line of his face. She'd never been scared of Jude in her life, but in that moment, fear chilled her rage just a bit.

  Isla gripped Bri's hand in her own and pulled until Bri looked at her. Isla seemed unconcerned about the hulking beast behind her. "Honey, he's offering you a lot of money. We're talking a year's worth of mortgage payments and an opportunity to pay down some of the--"

  "I know." Isla's words tempered her rage still more. "But there has to be another way. I can find a job at another casino, I can--"

  But Isla shook her head, pity in every line of her face. "A job that starts Monday? A job that will pay you this much money? I know you're not his biggest fan, but Jude's a good guy. He's--"

  Isla was right. She wasn't in a position to turn down any job, much less one that paid so well. She turned and faced him, doing her best to tamp the anger burning in her eyes. She needed the job, but she wouldn't take it under false pretenses. "I appreciate the offer, but I feel it's only fair for me to admit that I have no experience in admin and I'm only going to be here for six weeks."

  His gaze became distant and thoughtful, but then he blinked and his expression went ice cold. "It would take me six weeks to find an assistant." He swallowed hard and crossed his arms over his chest. "If you can start tomorrow, you'll be helping me out."

  He was lying. A job as an assistant to the owner of one of the top casinos in Vegas would be snapped up by a well-qualified person in a heartbeat. He had an ulterior motive, Bri was sure of it, but until she found another job or figured out what he was up to, she didn't have any other options. Not to mention the idea of his paying her, of getting some sort of payback for the way he'd treated Max, didn't feel terrible. She stuck out a hand for him to shake. "Thank you. I appreciate this opportunity." If her voice shook with anger and humiliation, he showed no sign of noticing. He showed no sign of any emotion at all, and he stared at her hand without moving to take it until she dropped it back down by her side.

  "Our offices are on the bottom floor, level U. You'll need an access pass to get in, so I'll meet you in the lobby, by the covered wagon. At seven forty-five Monday morning."

  "See you then." Even if it killed her.

  "Did you say something about a present?" Isla asked, eying the large, wrapped box in his hand.

  He handed it over with a grin, his fondness for his sister clear in his gaze. "Thought you might be able to find a use for this."

  She ripped through the paper to reveal a fancy, new camera. She shrieked and hugged her brother, going on and on about all its amazin
g features. Bri couldn't understand anything Isla was saying, but she couldn't help smiling at Isla's joy or noticing the happiness on Jude's face. He'd only gotten better looking with age and his smile . . . She'd forgotten how it had always made her want to smile with him, to be in on his joke or his joy.

  "Thank you," Isla said. "This is too much, but I'm not giving it back. You'll have to pry it from my cold dead hands."

  "I wouldn't dream of it," he said. "I wouldn't have any idea how to use it." He hugged her again and she promised to stop by and see him on Sunday.

  He left without another word, with barely a glance at Bri. As soon as the door shut behind him, she glared at Isla. "You promised I'd never see him."

  Isla shrugged, feigning nonchalance, but her smile was tight. "I know you hate him, and I know you think you have a good reason, but he's a good guy, honey. The best guy I know. He'll do right by you and you'll make so much money. This could change everything for you."

  Jude might be kind to his sister, but he had no reason to be kind to Bri. "The money will help," she said. "It will make all the difference."

  Isla beamed. "I still don't understand why you don't move here permanently. You can make so much more money in Vegas, and you could send it to your mom to help with the bills."

  There was a part of Bri that dreamed, almost daily, of living the life she'd been pulled from four years before. She wanted to go back and finish college, figure out what she wanted to do with her life and who she wanted to be. All she knew for sure was that she wanted to help other kids like Addy, kids who didn't have aunts and grandmothers to take care of them. "Mom's still so weak, and neither of us want Addy going to daycare more than necessary. That place we've been sending her isn't the best. Mom and Addy need me." She rubbed her hands on her cut-off jean shorts and tried to soothe her anxiety about seeing Jude on Monday, about working with him all day. "Oh, cartwheeling care bears. I don't have anything to wear for an admin job."